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A Local’s List of the Best Stuff Do in Jacksonville
👉 Jump to: Best Things | Food & Drink | Free Things | Museums & Culture | Beaches
Looking for the best things to do in Jacksonville? I was born and raised in Jacksonville, and in this guide, I’ll help you discover the best of the city!
The city covers more than 800 square miles, making it the largest city by landmass in the Continental United States. It’s no surprise that there is an equally large number of attractions. You can see the jaguars at the Jacksonville Zoo, visit the historic Florida Theatre, admire the gardens at The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, and much more.
Decide on where to stay in Jacksonville first. Then start planning your itinerary with the activities mentioned below!
33 Best Things to Do in Jacksonville
The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
Explore 2.5 acres of gardens and more than 5,000 works of art at the largest fine arts museum in Northeast Florida.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 356-6857 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 4 pm Tue, Wed, Fri; 11 am – 8 Thu; 10 am – 4 pm Sat; 12 – 4 pm Sun; Closed Mon | Entrance: $20 adults, Free under 5, College Students Free Tue – Fri, $15 Sat & Sun
The Cummer Museum and Gardens is the biggest fine arts museum in Northeast Florida. This Riverside museum offers several tours and classes for all-ages. The Cummer has various options for free admission, too, so be sure to check out their website, especially if you’re a student or bringing children.
The museum’s gardens are beautiful any time, but it shines in the spring which is also the best time to visit Jacksonville! The weather is actually pleasant outside, and the flowers are blossoming.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is the perfect family-friendly stop to see thousands of plant and animal species.
📍Google Maps | Phone: (904) 757-4463 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | General Admission pricing: Day of Weekends and Holidays: $36.95 – $41.95, Day of Weekdays: $26.95 – $31.95, Advanced Weekends and Holidays: $30.95 – $35.95, Advance Weekdays: $20.95 – $25.95
Jacksonville Zoo is one of the most popular attractions in Northeast Florida. It’s easy to spend a whole day feeding the giraffes, watching the tigers roam their exhibit, and walking the 115+ acres the zoo occupies.
While making your way through the zoo, stop by Trout River Plaza to see the fountains and Grecian-style gardens.
Note that tickets are not available on-site, and must be purchased online ahead of time using a credit or debit card. Ticket prices range depending on date, days of the week, events, and activities.
Jacksonville Beach
Jacksonville Beach is a great stop for families to explore local businesses and enjoy the 20+ miles of white sand.
Jacksonville Beach is a beautiful, family-friendly place to visit. There are over 20 miles of sand, and local businesses from seafood restaurants to cat cafes are around every corner.
Surf, hunt for shark teeth, or look for dolphins swimming out in the water. You can almost always spot some swimming when standing on the end of the pier.
The Jacksonville Beach pier is 625 feet long and provides a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. The admission fees for the pier are $2.50 Day Pass (non-local), $1.50 Day Pass (local), and $5.50 for day fishing (non-local), $4.50 for day fishing (local).
Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens
Experience a sense of natural beauty in 13 distinct ecosystems at this pet-friendly arboretum and gardens.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 318-4342 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 7 pm daily | Entrance: $3 adults, Free 3 and under
The Jacksonville Arboretum is 126 acres of natural wonder. Three miles of trails run through the 13 distinct ecosystems. Stroll over the boardwalk and stop to see the vegetation and water all around you. A large portion of the vegetation is marked clearly, so there’s ample opportunity to learn the different varieties of the plants you’re seeing.
Located in Arlington, the Arboretum is pet-friendly and a great destination to enjoy the fresh air with the whole family. Do keep in mind that while the Arboretum closes at 7 pm, the last entry is at 6:30 pm.
The Florida Theatre
See one of over 200 yearly events at a theatre that’s been a local favorite for nearly a century.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 355-2787 | Website
The Florida Theatre has it all. Classic films, live music, stand-up comedy, there’s no shortage of what it offers. Over 200 events are held there each year. The theatre originally opened in 1927 and is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it can hold up to 1,930 people.
The Florida Theatre can be found in Downtown Jacksonville. The theatre itself is so visually stunning that it would be worth visiting just to admire the architecture and decor. But, the great events it holds makes it even more worthy of a visit. It’s a must-see.
Tree Hill Nature Center
See native and exotic animal exhibits and plant life at this nature center in the heart of Arlington.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 724-4646 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 4:30 pm Mon-Sat; Closed Sun | Entrance: $6 adults, $4 children 3-17
The Tree Hill Nature Center is a 501 non-profit organization that houses all kinds of wildlife, flora, and fauna. The center offers a variety of educational programs for all ages and well-priced yearly membership passes.
Tree Hill Nature Center covers more than 50 acres of land. There are 7 trails to explore and a children’s museum featuring Florida’s natural history. The center also has butterfly and hummingbird gardens and a seasonal butterfly exhibit.
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Relax near the ocean at this 450-acre park with more than 20 miles of scenic trails.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 255-6767 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm during Daylight Savings Time; 8 am – 6 pm during Eastern Standard Time; Open daily | Entrance: $3 for Pedestrians and Bicycles, $5 for Vehicles up to 6 people
The Kathryn Abbey Hannah Park is home to over a mile of the most beautiful sands that Jacksonville has to offer.
The park is made up of 447 acres of mature coastal hammock and offers some of the best surfing conditions in northeast Florida. Hanna Park has over 20 miles of scenic trails that offer opportunities for hiking and biking along the shore.
The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
Visit rescued exotic cats (and a few unexpected animal pals) at this wildlife sanctuary.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 757-3603 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 3 pm daily | Entrance: $18, adults, $10 children 3-11, Free 2 and under
The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect place for animal lovers and families. Exotic cats—and a few other unlikely animal pals—go about their day while visitors explore the grounds and learn about these incredible creatures.
The non-profit animal rescue offers tours, including an enrichment tour every Sunday. The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary is mostly packed dirt or grass and is wheelchair accessible. Photography is encouraged.
Visit on Friday or Saturday for the nighttime tour, where you’ll see the animals during feeding time. The sanctuary also hosts an annual Halloween event for kids.
The Talbot Island State Parks
Witness expansive natural beauty and unique ecosystems in Little Talbot and Big Talbot Island State Parks.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 251-2320 | Website | Hours: 8 am to sundown | Entrance: $5 per vehicle (up to eight people), $2 pedestrians
The Little Talbot Island State Park and the Big Talbot Island State Park are two of the most naturally beautiful places in Florida.
Little Talbot is home to countless wildlife you can see while swimming, walking the beaches, or sunbathing. It offers a four-mile hike through woodland and beaches alike. The park also has bike rentals and camping grounds.
Big Talbot Island State Park is home to the famous Boneyard Beach. The beach gets its name from the bleached live oaks that have scattered onto the shoreline after years of erosion. You can also visit Blackrock Beach where some of the oldest rock formations on Earth make up the shoreline.
Food and Drink
Moon River Pizza
Try some of the best pizza in Jacksonville only minutes away from popular areas like Riverside and Downtown Jacksonville.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 389-4442 | Hours: 11 am – 10 pm Mon-Sat; Closed Sun
Moon River Pizza is, for my money, the best pizza in Jacksonville. Found in Murray Hill, Moon River offers handmade pizza, both as whole pies and individual slices.
Their pizzas are fresh-made, which sometimes means a longer wait, but it’s well worth waiting for. The crowds that form on the weekends are easily avoidable if you go earlier in the afternoon or on a weekday. The staff is always friendly and as fast as possible.
Moon River Pizza offers dairy-free and gluten-free options for those with allergies or special diets.
Sweet Theory Baking Co.
A small, charming vegan and allergy-friendly bakery with delicious treats like cookie sandwiches and cinnamon rolls.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 387-1001 | Website | Hours: 8:30 am – 4 pm Tue-Fri; 9 am – 4 pm Sat; Closed Sun & Mon.
Sweet Theory is a small and often very busy bakery on King St. All their goods are vegan, and there is a separate gluten-free section. I think they have some of the best sweets in the city. If you can, go on a weekday, as it’s less busy and the building is quite small. The bakery is centrally located, so it’s easy to get to from many parts of Jacksonville.
A few popular favorites are the cinnamon rolls and the cookie sandwiches. Do keep in mind that, while the sign says Sweet Theory closes at 4 pm, the bakery will close earlier if they sell out of baked goods earlier in the day.
Keg and Coin
Visit Jacksonville’s first arcade bar where you can play the most iconic games from the 80s and 90s.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 388-0033 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 2 am on Sat & Sun; 12 pm to 2 am Mon-Fri
Keg and Coin is an arcade bar that delivers all kinds of nostalgic feelings. Classic movies and television are played on screens above the bar and the most iconic games from the 80s and 90s are tucked into every corner of the building.
Keg and Coin often has tournaments and competitions, and it’s not uncommon for the place to be packed come sundown. Keg and Coin also has an excellent selection of craft beers and other fun drinks for non-beer drinkers. The bar has a friendly and welcoming vibe, and it’s right near many other local hits in Riverside.
The St. Johns Town Center
Do some shopping and grab lunch or dinner at this upscale open-air mall on the Southside of Jacksonville.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 998-7156 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Mon-Thu; 10 am – 9 pm Fri-Sat; 11 am – 6 pm Sun
The St. Johns Town Center is a massive hub of different businesses on the Southside of Jacksonville. A few of the stores include J. Crew, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and Kendra Scott.
After getting your shopping needs taken care of, the St. Johns Town Center has a vast collection of different restaurants and bars to choose from. Some of the popular chain establishments are Chicken Salad Chick, Firehouse Subs, and Panera.
River and Post
Try the seafood and steak at this modern restaurant with a rooftop view overlooking Riverside.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: 904-575-2366 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 10 pm Tue-Sun; 4 pm – 10 pm Mon
River and Post is a prominent building in Riverside with a rooftop lounge overlooking the local area. Their combination of delicious food and scenic views offered with the lounge makes River and Post a huge local hit.
The shrimp and grits is one of the most popular dishes, and the crab cakes are amazing as well.
Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House
Check out this local restaurant with a rooftop bar overlooking the Riverside area.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 903-4112 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 2 am Mon-Fri; 10 am – 2 am Sat & Sun
Hoptinger has a beer garden with 62 revolving craft beers on tap and a full liquor bar, with pub-style food and a rooftop bar overlooking the Five Points neighborhood in Riverside.
Its central location—the heart of Riverside and only minutes from Downtown—makes it an easy place to grab lunch or relax and enjoy the nightlife in Jacksonville.
Epik Burger
Easily some of the best burgers in Jacksonville, this restaurant offers an impressive variety of gluten-free and dairy-free options, too.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 374-7326 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 9 pm Sun-Thu; 11 am – 9:30 pm Fri & Sat
Found near East Arlington, Epik Burger easily has some of the best burgers in all of Jacksonville. Enjoy a variety of different burgers, sides, and milkshakes in this cozy burger joint.
Along with the fantastic burgers, Epik Burger deserves praise for the amount of gluten-free and dairy-free options available. The restaurant far outshines the average burger joint.
Leaderboard Arcade Bar & Pizzeria
Visit this popular arcade and bar in Orange Park with fun weekly events like trivia and karaoke.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 579-3435 | Website | Hours: 3 pm – 12 am Mon-Wed; 3 pm – 2 am Thu & Fri; 11 am – 2 am Sat; 11 am – 12 am Sun
Leaderboard is jam-packed with games and unique cocktails, and holds events like Trivia Night or Karaoke Night on a weekly basis. Enjoy a night full of games and try to top the high scores!
Leaderboard also has a large menu to choose from. You can order fun apps like Dragonballz or Pac Cheese Bytes along with deep dish or hand tossed pizza. Sweet options include DoughKnots with nutella and rainbow sprinkles.
Leaderboard also recently opened a second location on Shad Road, open 11am to 2am everyday!
Free Things to Do in Jacksonville
Memorial Park
Relax in this historic park in the heart of Riverside.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 630-2489 | Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily
Memorial Park is the perfect place to unwind with a book or sit on the benches overlooking the St. Johns River. It’s one of my favorite places in the city. You can easily spend a morning or afternoon exploring the 6-acre park. Memorial Park is nearing its 100th anniversary, and the park’s iconic WWI-era sculpture still stands tall.
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park is the perfect place to enjoy the afternoon outside, especially with kids.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 573-2498 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily
Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park is relatively quiet and an easy place to relax for the day. Trails are marked for walking or biking and there are benches to stop and relax.
Kids can enjoy the playground near the parking area. There’s an observation tower at the end of the main path, and several local businesses on the Westside within a short driving distance of the park.
The Riverside Arts Market
An iconic and local Jacksonville event held every Saturday, rain or shine.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 389-2449 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 3 pm on Sat only | Entrance: Free to browse
The Riverside Arts Market is a weekly arts and local farmers market hosted on Saturdays. Local artists, bakers, farmers, and food trucks are all present. Every week, thousands of people flock under the canopy of the Fuller Warren Bridge to browse the offerings. You will find everything from local food to one-of-a-kind creations from local creators.
Every Saturday is a little different. Rain or shine, vendors and patrons alike show their vibrancy and uniqueness. I can’t recommend a better way to see the personality of Jacksonville and its people.
First Wednesday Art Walk
Explore local artists’ creations, stop by local food trucks, and listen to live music on the first Wednesday of every month.
📍 Google Maps | Website
The First Wednesday Art Walk is held from 5 pm to 9 pm every month, rain or shine. Live music is performed on stage while local artists sell their creations at booths going up and down the entirety of the park.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is directly across from the park, as are local businesses like Chamblin’s Bookmine. It’s a great way to witness the creativity and culture that thrives in the city.
Jacksonville’s Main Public Library is also across from the Art Walk, and has extended hours on those Wednesdays. Be sure to stop inside!
Jacksonville Main Public Library
Admire the art and architecture at this 300,000-square-foot library in Downtown Jacksonville.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 255-2665 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm Mon-Sat; Closed Sun
This 300,000 square foot library opened in 2005 and features several art exhibits, three rotating gallery spaces, a Makerspace, and grand reading room. They regularly have events, and during some events like the Art Walk, they have extended hours and additional activities.
You aren’t required to have a library card to enjoy the art on display and the architecture of the building.
Southbank Riverwalk
Take a calm and scenic walk on the 1.25-mile paved path along the St. Johns River.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 630-2489 | Website | Hours: 24/7 | Entrance: Free
The Southbank Riverwalk is a great way to stroll through an afternoon and explore on-foot in a generally vehicle-heavy city. Especially in the early hours of the day and during the cooler months of the year. Walking along the St. Johns River is calming and perfect for pictures.
The Southbank Riverwalk is only a 1.25-mile paved walk, but there are plenty of places to stop and rest or get out your camera.
Riverside Park
The second oldest park in the city is directly across the street from the vintage shops and array of restaurants in Five Points.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 630-2489 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 7 pm daily
Riverside Park is an 11-acre park adjacent to Park Street and across the street from historic Five Points. There’s a playground for kids, as well as a basketball court and bike racks.
Riverside Park is a great place to go for a walk or to visit the ducks in the water before making your way to the Five Points area. The park is also only minutes from Downtown Jacksonville and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.
Jacksonville Farmers Market
Visit the oldest continually open farmers market in Florida, only one mile from Downtown Jacksonville.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 354-2821 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 5 pm Mon-Sat; 9 am – 4 pm Sun
The Jacksonville Farmers Market is the oldest continually open farmers market in all of Florida. Explore over 100 stalls of local produce seven days a week, just a mile from Downtown.
This historic market offers fresh produce, herbs, and favorites like our Mayport shrimp. Browse handmade crafts from local artisans. The farmers market also arranges tours for those interested in its history.
Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve
Discover over 40,000 acres of woods, coastal dunes and marshlands on this preserve dedicated to protecting key sites in Florida’s history.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 641-7155 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Wed-Sun; Closed Mon & Tue
The Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve is 46,000 acres of land on either side of the St. Johns River. There are a total of eight trails to allow the public to explore the natural habitats protected at the preserve.
Journey through the acres of woods, coastal dunes, and marshland, and learn more about over 6,000 years’ worth of history along the way.
Museums and Culture
The Jacksonville Center for Performing Arts
Experience unique events and performances from stand-up comedy to live orchestral performances.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 633-6110 | Website
The Jacksonville Center for Performing Arts hosts everything from stand-up comedy to live orchestral performances. Visiting is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in Downtown. Their long list of upcoming events can be found on their website.
The Museum of Contemporary Art
Explore an ever-rotating collection of art and exhibitions at this museum in Downtown Jacksonville.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 620-1214 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Tue-Sun; Closed Mon | Entrance: $10, adults, $6, seniors, youth (6-17)
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville can be found downtown, across from the James Weldon Johnson Park. The museum hosts a variety of rotating exhibits and classes on two floors dedicated to art installations.
Every first and third Wednesday, MOCA has extended hours from 5 – 9 pm. These nights have special programming, happy hour specials at the bar, and food from Setlan Coffee Co.
MOCA Jacksonville offers several special promotions for admission, so be sure to check their website to see if any apply to you.
Beaches Museum
Learn about the history and culture of the local beaches at this interactive museum.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (904) 241-5657 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tue-Sat; 12 – 4 pm Sun; Closed Mon | Entrance: Free
Learn the history of the local beaches in this informative and interactive museum at Jacksonville Beach. Explore both permanent and temporary exhibits and take in the rich history of the First Coast shores.
The museum guides you from the days of early river pilots and fishermen to seaside resorts of the late 19th century to present times and everything in between.
Beaches
Atlantic Beach
Enjoy miles of tranquil beaches thirty minutes from Downtown Jacksonville.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Atlantic Beach is the northernmost of Jacksonville’s Beaches and a relaxing vacation destination. There are multiple upscale restaurants like Azurea and hotels in the area, and miles of sands to enjoy.
The Beaches Town Center hosts a variety of businesses like First Society Boutique and T-Dub’s Mercantile within minutes of the beach.
Neptune Beach
A charming coastal town nestled between Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Between Atlantic Beach to the north and Jacksonville Beach to the south, Neptune Beach is a charming community perfect for photography or biking on the tightly packed sands. It has a great, laid-back atmosphere and is generally quieter than the other beaches.
Ponte Vedra Beach
A wealthy beach community with some of the tallest sand dunes in Florida.
Ponte Vedra Beach is a gorgeous beach, perfect for searching for shark teeth or walking along the shore. Ponte Vedra’s 40-foot dunes are among the highest in Florida, only adding to the eye-catching nature of the beach.
There’s a statue of Ponce de Leon at the North Beach Access area, marking the landing point for the explorer over 500 years ago.
Mayport Beach
Some of Mayport Beach is inaccessible to civilians, but a portion called ‘the Poles’ is a sweet-spot for local surfers.
Although some of Mayport Beach is inaccessible to the civilian population, being part of the Naval Station Mayport, there is an accessible chunk of the beach called the Poles. The Poles are where locals and visitors enjoy the ideal conditions for surfing. The Poles are within Hanna Park, where a fee is paid to enter.
Mayport Beach is significantly less busy than most of the other local beaches, and its scenic views are ideal even for non-surfers.
👉 Read Next: Day Trips from Jacksonville
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Thank you for reading my guide! If you like this one, you might also like my 3-day Jacksonville itinerary.
